Chemicals Secretary to speak at annual GPCA Forum in Dubai

Mr. Raghavendra Rao, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, will join a galaxy of high-ranking ministerial officials and industry leaders from across the globe, scheduled to speak at the 13th Annual GPCA Forum taking place on 26-28 November in Dubai.

More than 2,000 senior industry leaders representing as many as 600 companies from nearly 50 nations will converge at the forum to exchange best practices and examine growth strategies at a time of the 4th Industrial Revolution, discuss case studies and take the necessary steps required to enhance their transformational journeys. The event will further shed light on the advances and changes in the chemical industry and the increasingly important role it is playing in the region.

Mr. Rao will address the forum’s theme of “Executing transformation and investing in growth” and provide insights into industrial opportunities in India, regional growth prospects and shifting customer preferences.

His addition to the forum agenda is especially significant as India is the second largest importer of GCC crude and accounts for at 16% of total chemical exports from the region. This makes for the second largest share after China.

The Arabian Gulf region continues to play a pivotal role in India’s energy security. Several new strategic partnerships were announced between the two regions recently. In June this year, Saudi Aramco and ADNOC in consortium with three Indian oil companies committed to the development of the $44 billion mega-refinery and petrochemicals complex in Ratnagiri.

Commenting on this special relationship, Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General of the GPCA, said, “The Arabian Gulf region enjoys a long-standing relationship with India – one that is founded upon strategic ties aimed at advancing the country’s economic and social prosperity. As an important demand centre for chemicals and petrochemicals, a demand that is set to remain steady for the future, India remains an important market for GCC producers, offering significant opportunities for closer cooperation and partnerships in the chemicals industry.”